The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements signed with China during President Bola Tinubu’s landmark state visit in September 2024. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday while hosting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Tuggar highlighted the progress made since the historic visit and underscored the importance of the agreements in enhancing bilateral relations.
President Tinubu’s state visit to China from September 1 to 6, 2024, was his first since taking office and marked a significant milestone in Nigeria-China relations. During the visit, four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, focusing on key sectors such as trade, investment, and infrastructure development. These MoUs are currently at various stages of implementation, serving as the foundation for upgrading Nigeria-China relations from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to the terms of the MoUs, noting that the agreements would unlock new opportunities for trade facilitation, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges. “You will recall that His Excellency President Bola Tinubu paid a state visit to China in September 2024 and was received by his Chinese counterpart, during which four MoUs were signed. Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to the terms of these MoUs,” he said.
The foreign minister expressed optimism about the benefits of this elevated partnership, describing it as a pathway to fostering closer collaboration and achieving mutual goals of peace, prosperity, and development. Tuggar also praised high-level engagements between officials of both countries, underscoring their role in solidifying diplomatic ties. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the “One China Principle” and called for continued dialogue to ensure the successful execution of the agreements.
“Our cooperation has yielded fruitful results in various fields, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. As we explore new avenues for collaboration, I wish to acknowledge China’s remarkable progress in economic development, technological innovation, and global leadership. Nigeria, too, is undergoing significant transformations driven by our vision to become a more prosperous, peaceful, and egalitarian nation,” Tuggar added.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commended Nigeria’s role as a leading African nation with global influence and highlighted its contributions to the global South. He praised the progress achieved under the guidance of both nations’ leaders, particularly the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
“Nigeria is a major African country with global influence and an important member of the global South. As we work for Africa’s peace and development, Nigeria plays an irreplaceable and important role,” Wang stated. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering solidarity and delivering on the agreements reached at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit held in Beijing.
Wang further emphasized China’s tradition of prioritizing Africa in its foreign policy and expressed hope that continued collaboration would bring tangible benefits to both nations. “Under the guidance of our two presidents, we have achieved abundant fruits in our cooperation across the board, delivering real benefits to our two peoples,” he noted.
The renewed partnership between Nigeria and China signifies a bold step toward deeper collaboration, promising to unlock transformative opportunities for both nations in areas ranging from infrastructure to cultural exchanges. As these agreements continue to take shape, the strategic partnership is expected to elevate Nigeria-China relations to unprecedented heights.
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